Before I get into Ocean’s 13 I wanted to offer a quick apology on last Friday’s post about Robot Chicken’s Star Wars special…actually 2 apologies. Apparently the YouTube link didn’t work for some of you so sorry about that. However what I’m really sorry about is steering anyone over to watching the show itself. Like I wrote Friday I have not enjoyed the show in the past but then again with Star Wars involved you’d figure it would be better. Wrong on all accounts, Except for a sketch where Jar Jar follows Anakin around after he’s become Darth Vader the whole thing was boring, unfunny, and left a bad taste in my mouth. So sorry about that.
Meanwhile I’m happy to report that my #1 most anticipated movie of the summer lived up to my own hype. Ocean’s 13 isn’t a ground breaking film but its solid summer fluff made by excellent filmmaker and an ensemble cast that is truly impressive. I’m in the minority when it comes to Ocean’s 12 in that I loved the constant winks and inside jokes but I also understand why that irritated other people and came off as self indulgent. This time around Steven Soderberg has struck the perfect balance with those jokes as well as the off the wall character moments he featured heavily in the original. My favorite example of the “in joke” comes as Matt Damon’s Linus character chats it up with the gang via cell while strolling the streets of Europe in a style that seems awfully reminiscent of another series of films that Damon has participated in. Casey Affleck meanwhile benefits from the completely superfluous storyline surrounding the working conditions in the Mexican dice factory. Every cast member has their shining moment in this one which is something that 12 lacked and 11 excelled in. Damon though particularly shines as he has truly given an arc to Linus’ development throughout the trilogy. Seeing the character grow in all 3 films almost feels out of place in films that are more style then substance but it’s a welcome addition. Damon’s transition from the self conscious son of famous criminal parents into a smart, dare I say leader, in the 3rd film is worth the price of admission especially considering he provides a majority of the laughs in the film. Meanwhile, Steven Soderberg is on his game here and as always he shines in the editing room. From the hard edged lines and split screens to the whimsical graphics he uses sporadically in the film, Soderberg keeps a film that is essentially a series of talking heads, visually arresting. The call backs to the previous 2 installments are both appreciated and enjoyable and probably too numerous to catch in one viewing. Of course the real reason these films work is the ease at which our core characters function together. As an audience member you want to be in that room and hang with Brad, George and the boys. They just exude cool but in a much more accessible way then say the Sinatras or Martins of the past. I know the key players have sworn off any future adventures but as long as these guys have fun making them I know I’d have fun watching them.
Side note: George and Brad are re-teaming for a new Cohen brother’s comedy so we’ve got that to look forward too…which is nice.
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